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Get hints on balancing a chemical equation

Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You tried to balance a combustion equation for Chemistry and it's still wrong. Get exactly 3 numbered hint questions, under 70 words total, plain text, with no balanced equation, no coefficients and no explanation. The first should make you count the oxygen atoms on each side, and all must be about this equation.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking it to balance. The AI's default is to hand you the balanced equation. Try: Say: "Don't balance it. Only ask me questions."
  • Not saying how many questions. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more questions than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered questions."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each one: "each question under 15 words."
  • Not saying where to start. The AI may start with carbon, which you already did right. Try: Add: "The first question should make me count the oxygen."
  • Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in your notes. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Says how many questions
  • Says not to give the answer
  • Points to the key step
  • Sets a length limit
  • Asks for plain text

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